Fluid-controlled mechanism.



IE'. H. RICHARDS.

FLUID GONTROLLBD MEGHANISM.

v APPLICATION FILED 00T. 22,1902. 919,465.

Patented A111127, 1909.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

l |i l F. H. RICHARDS. lFLUID CONTROLLED MECHANISM.. APPLICATION FILED0012,22, 1902.

91 9,465, Patented Apr. 27, 1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 76' 2; x 2 26 35" glUNiiifrnn sirA'rEs Parana' onirica.

FRANCIS I-l. RICHARDS, UF HARTFORD, CON NEGTIGUT, ASSIGN Oli, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO AMERICAN TYPOGRAPHIC CORPORATION, ACORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FLUID-CONTR'OLLED Mncrrarrrsirr.4

' a specification. i

This invention relates to apparatus, or mechanism, in which it isdesired to employ a confined volume of fluid for transmitting movementsfrom an actuated device oi' mech anism to an actuatable device ormechanism, and has for its object to provide improved vmechanismwhereby' such results may be accomplished and the efficiency of theapparatus maintained.

lhe present invention is in part in the nature of an `improvement on theinvention illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the UnitedStates No. 576,154, granted to me on Feb. 2, 1897, for hydraulicapparatus.

'lhe present improvements relate moi'e especially to means forsupplying' the appara-v -newed, supplyY of fluid.

tus with a constant, and a constantly re- '.llie manner of accomplishingthis result is such that the containers for the confined volume of fluidbe tween the actuating and the actuated devices ai'e supplied with fluidindependentlyT ofthe working of the body of fluid in the transmission ofthe desired movements. 'lhis result may be accomplished by introducingthe fluid supply at a point intermediate said devices and in controllingthe ladmission of fluid for supplying and also surcharging thecontainer, be this what it may and connected spaces so as not tointerfere with the operation of the fluid in the container. 1

In carrying out my invention means is provided whei'eby a confined bodyof fluid has pressure applied to it for actuating a device or mechanism.

The apparatus may be a key controlled one i and each of the keys may bein operative con.

nection with some suitable device, such as a plunger or piston. capableof taking a predetermined `quantity of fluid from a reservoir andforcing it into a container"iiiclosing a body of fiuid, which containermay be connected with a piston or other suitable pressure-actuateddevice so constructed that Specification of Letters Patent.

Application :filed October 22, 1902.

Patented April 27, 1909.

Serial No. 128,319.

of fluid incident to its increase. in volume it will move the piston vordevice and impart movement to some portion of the apparatus, and ifdesired upon the movable pai't having completed a predetermined lengthor amount of movement the pressure may be relieved upon the body offluid, if desired, by conveying suoli Huid away from the container. Thepiston or other device may then be retui'ned b y any convenient means,and the be vice for adding the fluid to the body may also be returned toits normal or initial position by some convenient means.

Upon each actuation the quantity of' fluid, contained in the reservoirfrom which the measured fluid for the working impulse is taken, may bediminished and such diminishing of thc fluid may be compensated for byfluid from some suitable source of supply.

All the several .finger-keys may be operative upon pistons drawing theirsupply of fluid from the same reservoir, but each piston operative uponfiuid contained Vin its individual container, which fluid will beoperative upon its individual part of the apparatus. All the containersmay be connected with a single pump drawing from a suitable source ofsupply and forcing the fluid into a main line to which all thecontainers may be connected. nected with a storage device. The overflowfrom all the parts may be connected with the supply for the pump.

In the drawings'accompanying and forming part of this speciication,Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating a Aforni of apparatusembodying my invention, some of' the various parts being shown invertical section, and Fig. 2 is a plan` view thereoll showing some ofthe parts in horizontal section and -also arranged diagrammatically.

A designates in a general Way a key-board wherein three keys 3 areshown, this number The main line may also be con-` being employed in thepresent instance for upon the increase of pressure upon the body l Workand having a slot in the other arm l() the side wall thereof andprovided with a pin engaging the slot in the lower end of one of thebell-crank-levers.` It will be seen that the cylinders 11 open into thereservoir B at a point below the top \of'this, which is to enable thepiston to get a solid charge of fluid tol force into the container,fluid which is not rendered elastic by presence of air bubbles whichmight be the case in certain forms of the device. ,Suitable means, hereshown as s rings 14, may be employed for returning t e bell-cranks andthe keys to their normal positions. Y

The working end of the piston is shown as comprising an open-endedhollow cylinderl having an entrance opening or port 16 capable ofcommunicating with the interior of the reservoir. A suitable overflowmay be provided for the reservoir, which in the present instance isillustrated as comprising a dome or bell 17 rising from the cover 18 andhaving an overflow pipe 19 leading from the same, which is shown asemptying in a tray 20 provided upon the base of the framework.

The 'actur ted device, represented in a general way by C, which in thepresent instance for the purpose of illustrating a practicableemployment for my invention comprises an adding machine embracing astationary dial 21 and a movable indexiinger 22, the linger in thepresent .instance being carried by a shaft 23 mounted in suit' ablebearings 24 rising from a base frame 25 and a number of ratchet-wheels26 mounted upon the shaft corresponding in number to the number of keysemployed, to wit, in the present instance three.

Each ratchet-wheel is illustrated as having as many teeth as there arecharacters upon the dial. Each ratchet-Wheel is capable of 'being movedforward by means of a pawl 27 carried upon the end of a bell-crank-lever28, and spring pressed desired, by a suitable spring 29. as mounted uponsuitable bearings 29 rising from the base of the frame. The bearings forthe several bell-cranks are shown as mounted in a line at an' angle tothe axis of the shaft and each one is provided with an upper arm of alength different from the length of the upper arms of the other bellcranks whereby the shaft will be moved forward a dierent distance uponthe same amount of movement of the lower arm of the 65.

bell-crank.

land support for the stem 32.

The bell-crank-levers are shown sienes In the present instance theorganization is supposed to represent that pressure on the key bearingthe character'one will move the 'shaft forward one tooth or step and theactuation of the key bearing the character three will move the shaftforward three teeth or steps, thus indicating upon the dial, by theadvance of the indicator, the number of points corresponding with thenumber borne by the finger-key which has been depressed. '75

For moving each bell-crank-lever a suit able piston-chamber, designatedin a general way by D, may be employed, which in the present instancecom rises a cylinder 30 connected with a suita le base, which in thepresent instance is shown as the same base which carries the actuateddevice C. Each cylinder is shown as provided with a suitable piston 31adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder, from which piston projects astem 32 8,5 adapted'to engage the lower end of its bell-v crank and uponreciprocation in one direction to move the ratchet-wheel engaged by itspawl forward and upon the return to allow the awl to rideover theratchet-wheel when it 1s being returned by some suitable device, in thepresent instance shown as a spring 33. The forward end 34 of thecylinderin the present instance is shown as closed and having an opening34 forming a bearing 95 Each end of the cylinder 30 is provided with avent. The vent 35 in front of the piston is quite near the bearing forthe stem, and the vent 36 behind the iston is located in such -apositionA that it will be uncovered by the piston when the s=ame hasreached the end of its working stroke. The vents are at each side vofthe space occupied by the piston at the completion of its workingstroke, the vent 35 is for 105 the purpose of admittingthe free passageof air and for the overflow from any regitation, and the vent 36 forpermitting the overflow of fluid from the cylinder to the end that thepressure upon the piston may be relieved and 1l it be returned to itsnormal position.

Conduite, designated in a general way by E, and in the present instancecomprising tubes 37 may be employed to communicate the movement from theselector and its piston to the selected actuated device, and eachconduit is shown as entering the ends of a cylinder from each of therespective series and as bent downward and then sidewise.

The conduit and cylinders constituting a Huid container and theincrement of volume of fluid in the container will actuatethe pistoncontrolling the actuated device. Each of the tubes 37 is provided with aservice pipe 38. The several service iipes are shown as connected with amain line 39. Themain line in the present instanceis shown as connectedwith a pump, designated in a general Y way by F, and may be of anysuitable construction, which pump drawsbymeans of a sienes suction pipefrom a source of supply, designated in a general way by G, and forcesthe fluid into the tubes 37, which tubes bel also for accommodating theintermittent adi mission of fluid to the main liiie from a supplymechanism operating continuously. rlhis regulating device may cbiisistofl an accumulator of ordinary and of suitable proportions, and thesurplus after filling the various parts of' the apparatus may beconveyed along the` main line to the accumulator, desigiiated'in ageneral way by ll, which in the present instance comprises a cylinder 41entered at its bottom portion by the main line and provided with apiston 42, here shown as ol' weighty construction and closely fitting`the cylinder. A piston-rod 43 may be attached to the piston and to anysuitable counterweight (not shown) `for forcing the fluid up the servicepipes and into the tubes, provided the drain from the reservoir isgreater than the normal action of the pump will su iply. lWeights 44 maybe placed upon tie piston to regulate its pressure. overflow pipe 45 mayrun from the cylinder 4i to the supply tank G and a drain pipe 46 from asuitable tray 47 may connect therewith to carry off the overflow fromthe actuating pistons. A suitable overflow tube 48 Y may'run from thetray 20, catching the surplus from the reservoir. The overflow pipes runinto a portion 49 of the supply tank, which in the present instance isshown as divided by a partition 50 solid at its lower portion andprovided at its upper portion with a screen 51 whereby any dirt orforeign substance carried by the fluid may be permitted to be throwndown or sink bygravity to the bottom and the upper part of the fluid beemptied in a clean condition into the side of the supply tank drawn fromby the suc-tion pump.

Each of the-service pipes may be provided with suitable means forpreventing the pressure of' the actuation of one device beingcommunicated to the entire system, which in the present instance areshown as ball-valves 52 comprising casings 53 each secured at its lowerend upon the service pipe and at its upper portion connected thereto bya gland 55 and containing a ball54 seating by gravity or pressure uponthe bottom of the chamber, which constitutes a valve seat 56. The val-veis provided with a downwardly-projecting flange 57 having an opening 58,so

- that upon the rise of the ball from its seat it will engage suchflange, but the Vpassage of' fluid wi l not be checked thereby owing tothe A suitable opening in the flange. To prevent lost niotion and thesmallest amount of loss of pressure the ball or other valve employed maybe organized to be. efficient upon a small amount of movement, wherebyupon the a iplication of pressure to the fluid the ball wi iinmediatelyseat itself and very little movement will be lost.

fii operation this apparatus, supposing it is empty of fluid, firstsupplies fluid by the action ol' the pump, or other sup ly mechanism,through a suitable main line and the check-valve, into the conduits orindividual lines at a point between the actuating and actuatedmechanisms connected thereby. 'lhe fluid passing into the conduits inthis way naturally flows in both directions, thus expelling the aircontained therein and finally reaching both mechanisms and flowing outof air from the connecting conduits and the interior spaces of the twoapparatuses. For it will be remembered that notwithstanding thesubstantially inelastic character of ordinary fluids, sucli as water oroil, if a column of considerable length of such fluid contains even .asmall percentage of air in the form of' bubbles, the column, consideredas a whole, thereby becomes elastic, and its efficiency is greatlydepreciated when applied to the transmission of mechanical movementsfrom one ap aratus to another.

In tie a paratus described in my aforesaid prior etters Patent the fluidfor maintaining tlie supply in the conduit passes through the ports orspaces formed in connection with the actuating piston 5 and while thatmethod is found effective even in mechanisms of small dimensions (forwhich p urpose the present improvements are more especially intended) te present method has been found more effective for use under a widerrange .of conditions, especially when using oil.

Each of the actuated devices, in the present instance, has its selectorfor actuating it, and upon the depression of a selector, illustrated asa finger-key, the piston connected thereto will force an amount of fluidfrom a reservoir B, common to several of' such pistons into a containerfor a confined volume of fluid, and here illustrated as the conduit Econnecting the cylinder of such piston with the cylinder of thedeviceselected for actuation. The former piston u on entering its cylinder,cuts 0H or valves t e communication between the reservoir and theconduit g.

I duit or container to advance and actuate the selected member lof theactuated mechanism. Upon the` latter piston completing its Workingstroke it uncovers the vent, the inlcrement of' fluid is vented out orWithdrawn from the cond-uit and the piston may then be returned to itsinitial position either by the return of the actuated device orotherwise. The reservoir is always in communication with the supply andregulator through thenon-active conduits, and is replenished andmaintained constant from the lregulating accumulator and thepump and thevolume of fluid or the pressure in the conduits is maintained normallyconstant or at not less than normal. The back-pressure valves maybeconstructed to have the minimum of movement in seating and rising sothat there Will be but small loss of pressure upon the actuation of thepiston. f

Of course, many changes in detail may be had in practice Withoutdeparture from the spirit of' my invention. The number of actuateddevices and selectors may be varied asthe requirements of eachparticular/ employment may demand. And the invention may be appliedto'an actuated device Wherein several selectors may put into operation anumber of actuated members simultaneously, and the reservoir andconduits in such case will be replenished through the conduits not inuse at that particular actuation7 so that upon any of the individuals ofone combination beingrepeated in the next successive combination thefluid in the reservoir Will be efficient and the pump and regulator Willhave filled the conduits of such individuals instantly. The pressure andvolume of fluid throu hout the entire apparatus is maintainecl constant,except during the brief instant of the increase in any conduit foractuationv and the decrease due to venting the actuated cylinder.

Having described myfinvention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is- 1. The combination with a fluid container, of' amovable device actuatable by a predetermined change of' volume of fluidin the container, a fluid reservoir, means for removing a volume ol'fluid equal-to said predetermined volume from the reservoir andmtroducmg the same mto the contamer,

fluid into the container and from the container into the reservoir tomaintain the volume of the fluid in each of these at not less thannormal, and means for introducing fluid from the reservoir into andWithdrawing the same from the container to vary the vo ume therein andcause the respective movements of the said device;

3. The combination With a fluid container, of a movable device connectedthere- With and movable upon change ofpressure Within the container, afluid reservoir, means for introducing a portion of fluid from thereservoir into the container, and means continuously in communicationwith the container for maintaining the fluid Within the containerconstant. p

4. The combination With a series of fluid containers, of a plurality of`devices connected therewith, severally capable of reverse movements,and actuated vby a change of fluid conditions in the connectedcontainer, a fluid reservoir connected to each of the containers meansfor introducing fluid into the containers and maintaining the pressureof the fluid at not less than normal, and for introducing fluid into thereservoir through the idle containers; means `for stopping the flow offluid from a selected `container into the reservoir and for introducingfluid from the reservoir into said selected container,

and means to Withdraw fluid from said selected container', for varyingthe pressure therein and causing the respective movements of the`elements connected therewith.

5. ln a device of the character specifled, the combination with a seriesof movable devices a series of pistons connected therewith and mountedinpiston chambers; a series of actuators 5 a series of pistons mounted inpiston chambers operated thereby a series ol conduits respectivelyconnecting Ythe piston chambers from each series a fluid reservoir forsupplying fluid tothe pistons of the second4 named series, and throughwhich said pistons pass 5 a supply main, a service pipe connecting eachof the conduits With t e main, back pressurevalves in each of the.

service pipes, the organization being such that fluid may be supplied tothe conduits at all times irrespective of the position of the par-ts,and that fluid will be supplied to the reservoir from the conduits,which for the time beingare idle.

6. The combination with a plurality of fluid containers, of a pistoncylinder located Within each container; a piston mounted Within eachcylinder and actuated by a change of pressure Within its container; a

plurality of devices severally capable of av number of movements andeach controlled by one of the pistons a fluid reservoir; meanscontinuously open for the introduction of fluid into the containers .tomaintain the pressure of the fluid therein and in the andl withdrawingfiuid from a selected container to vary the pressure therein and causeVthe respective movements of the device connected therewith.

7. The combination with a pluiality of fiuid containers, of a pistoncylinder connected with each container; a piston rmounted within eachcylinder and actuated by a change of Volume of fluidwithin its connectedcontainer; a plurality of devices severally capable of a number ofmovements and each controlled by one ofthe pistons `;'a fluid reservoir;continuously active means for supplying' fluid; alconnection and a backpressure valve between each container and said supplying; means; andmeans for introducing iiuid from the reservoir into and withdrawing thefluid from a selected container to vary the volume of fluid therein andVcause the respective movements of the devices connected therewith.

8. In a device of the character specified,

the combination with mechanism embodying a series ol work performingmembers, of a reservoir means for operating the members and eachembodying a cylinder connected to the reservoir; `a piston mountedtherein; a stem on the piston ['or engaging' themember; means forguiding and sup orting; the piston stem; and a vent in the cy inder ateach side of the space occupied by the piston at the completion of itsworking stroke; a iiuid conduit in communication with each cylinder; afluid reservoir; means for constantly introducing iiuid from thereservoir into the conduit operative upon'a selected membei` to actuatethe member; and means for replenishing the reservoir and inaintainingthe pressure within the conduits at not less than normal.

9. In a device of the character specified, the combination with acontainer; of a series of movable members located therein; means foroperating` said members and embodying a series of' cylinders; pistonsmounted therein for actuating the members; anda vent in each of thecylinders behind the space occu- 1 pied by the piston at the completionof its workingl stroke; selectors for the members; a reservoir forcontaining fluid; a series of piston cylinders connected with thereservoir; i

conduits each connecting a piston cylinder from each series; pistonsmounted in the pis- I ton cylinders opposite the reservoir and eachcontrolled by a selector and embracing in a hollow open ended cylinder;and a port in the same adapted to make 'communication be'- tween theinterior. of the reservoir and the conduit and establishingcommunication between the same, and upon movement into the cylindertocut 0H and also introduce a predetermined amount of fluid from thereservoir into the conduit and upon a selected member to actuate themember, and means for replenishing the selector and maintaining thefluid in the conduit normally constant.

10. ln a device of the character specified, the combination with aseries of movable members, of means for operating the niembers andembodying;l a series of cylinders, pistons mounted therein for actuatingthe members, and a vent in each of thecylinders behind the spaceoccupied by the piston at the completion of its working stroke;selectors for the members; a reservoir for containing iiuid'; a seriesof piston-cylinders connected with the reservoir; conduits eachconnecting' a piston-cylinder from each series; pistons mounted in thepiston-cylinders of the reservoir and each controlled by a selector andembracing' an open-ended hollow cylinder, andV a port in the sameadapted to permit comniunication between the interior of the reservoirand the conduit and establish communication between the saine and uponvmovement into the cylinder to cut ofi and also introduce a predeterminedamount of fluid from the reservoir into the conduit andop-r erative uponthe selected member to actuate the member; and means 'embodying asource. of iluid supply, a pump drawing therefrom, connections betweenthe pump` and the conduits, au accumulator fed by the surplus deliveryoi the pump; and connections between the accumulator and conduits forreplenishing thereservoir and maintaining the Huid in the conduitsnormally constant.

11. In a device of the character specified, l0@

the combination with a series of movable members, of means operable bychange of fluid for actuating the members selectors for the members; areservoir for containing Huid; a .series of piston-cylinders connectedwith 105 the reservoir; conduits each connecting a pis ton-cylinder andan actuating means; pistons mounted in the piston-cylinders and eachcontrolled by a selector and embracing an open-ended hollowy cylinder; aport in the saine adapted to permit communication between the interiorof the reservoir and the conduit and establish communication between thesame and upon movement into the cylinder to cut oii and also introduce apredetermined ainount of fluid from the reservoir into the conduit andoperative upon the selected member to actuateftlie member; and means forreplenishing the reservoir through said conduits and maintaining theiiuid in the conduits normally constant.

12. ln a device of the character specified',- the combination with aseries of movable. members, of means operated by change oi" fluidforactuating the members selectors for the members; a reservoir forcontaining fluid; a series of piston-cylinders connected with thereservoir; conduits each connecting a piston-cylinder and an actuatingmeans; pistons mounted in the piston-cylinders and movements of thedevice connected there with; and means for kreplenishing the reser- 80each controlled by a'selector andembracing an open-ended hollowcylinder; a port in the same adapted to permit commumcation between'theinterior of the reservoir and the conduit and establish communicationbetween the same and upon movement into the cylinder to cut off and alsointroduce a predetermined amount ofluid from the reservoir into theconduit and operative upon the selected-memberto actuate the member; andmeans embodying a source o'iluid supply, a pump drawing therefrom,connections between the pump and the conduits an accumulator fed bythesurplus del-ivery ofthe pump; and connections between the accumulatorand conduits for replenishing the reservoir and maintaining the fluid inthe conduits normally constant.

13. The combination with a plurality of lluid conduits, of a pluralityof devices, severally capable of a number of movements, respectivelyconnected therewith and each controlled by change of volume of fluidwithin its respective conduit; means for introducing Huid from thereservoir into and withdrawing fluid from a selected conduit to vary thevolume ltherein and cause the respective voir and maintaining the luidin the conduits normally constant and embodying a source of fluidsupply, a pump drawing there# from, a main supplied by the pump and anaccumulator fed ythe surplus ldelivery of the pump and comprising acylinder in communication with the main, a pressure-piston therein andmeans for varying the pressure of the piston. l

14. In a device of the character speciied, the combination with aseries. of movable members, oi' means operable by change of volume offluid for actuating themembers;

4 selectors for the members; a reservoir for containing fluid; a seriesof piston-cylinders connected with the reservoir; conduits. eachconnecting a piston-cylinder and an actuatin means; pistons mounted inthe pistoncy inders and each controlled by a selector and adapted topermit communication be'- tween the interior of the reservoir and theconduit and establish communication between the same and upon movementinto the cylinder to cut off and also introduce a predetermined amountof iluid from the reser,

voir into the conduit operative upon the selected member to actuate themember; angl means for replenishing the reservoir and maintaining thefluid in the conduits normally constant and embodying a source of iluidsupply, a pump drawing therefrom, a main su lied by the pump and anaccumulator fedplliy the surplus delivery of the pump and comprising acylinder in communication with the main and a pressure-pistontherein.

15. In a device of the character.specified,y

Vconnecting la piston-cylinder and an actuating means; pistons mountedin the pistoncylinders and each controlled by a selector and adapted topermit communication-between the interior of the reservoir and theconduit and establish communication between the same and upon movementinto the cylinder to cut oil and also introduce a predetermined amountof iluid from the reservoir into the conduit operative upon the selectedmember to actuate the member; and means' for replenishing the reservoirand maintaining the fluid in the conduits normally constant andembodying a source of iluid supply, a pump drawing therefrom, `a main suplied by the pump and an accumulator fed) by the surplus delivery of thepump and comprising a cylinder in communication with the main, apressure-pistontherein and 90 means for varying the pressure of thepiston.

16. In a device of the character speciied,} the combination withvaseries of movablell members, of means operated by change of volume ofHuid for actuating the members; selectors for the members; a reservoirfor containing luid; a lseries of piston-cylinders connected withtharese'rvoir; conduits each connecting a piston-cylinder and anactuatino' means; pistons mounted in the 'pistoncylinders and eachcontrolled by a4 selector and adapted to permit communication betweenthe interior of the reservoir and the conduit and. establishcommunication betweenl the same and upon movement into the cylinder tocut off and also introduce a predeterminedV amount of fluid from thereserr voir into the conduit operative upon the selected member toactuate the member; and means for replenishing the reservoir andmaintaining t e fluid in theconduits normally constant 'and embodying asource of fluid supply, a pump drawing therefrom,- a main supplied bythe pump, a cylinder in communication with the main, aweighted-1l5piston within the cylinder and means for adjustably var ing the weightthereof.0

17 .v In aevice of the character specified, the combination with aseries of movable members, of means operated by chan e of 120K tween thesame and upon movement into the l of the piston a vent behind thepiston; a cylinder to cut oil' and also introduce a prereservolr forcontaining fluid; a series ol' l determined amount of lluid from thereservoir into the conduit operative upon the semaintaining the fluid inthe conduits normally constant and embodying a source of fluid supply, apump drawing therefrom; a main supplied by the pump, an upright cylinderin communication with the main, a* piston within the cylinder andweights for adjustably varying the pressure thereof.

18. ln a device of the character specifled, the combination with aseries of movable members, of means operated by change of volume offluid for actuating the members; selectors for the members; a reservoirfor containing fluid; a series of piston-cylinders connected with thereservoir; conduits each connecting a piston-cylinder and an actuatingmeans; pistons mounted in the pistoncylinders and each controlled by aselector and adapted to permit communication between the interior of thereservoir and the conduit and establish communication between the sameand upon movement into the cylinder to cut olf and also introduce apredetermined amount of fluid from the reservoir into the conduitoperative u on the selected member to actuate the mem er; and means forreplenishing the reservoir and maintaining the fluid in the conduitsnormally constant and embodying a source of fluid suppl a pump drawingtherefrom, a main supp ied by the pump, a cylinder in communication withthe main, a weighted piston Within' the cylinder and means foradjustably varying the weight thereof.

19. The combination with a `fluid-container, of a movable deviceconnected therewith and operable upon change of volume of fluid withinthe container; a Huid reservoir; means for introducing a portion offluid from the reservoir into the containeryand means for replenishingthe reservoir and for maintainer not less than the normal volume andembodying a source of fluid supply, a'puinp drawing therefrom, a mainsupplied by the pump, an upright cylinder in communica- -tion with themain, a piston within the cylinder and weights for adjustably varyingthe pressure thereof. 4 v

20. In a device of the character specified, the'combination withmechanism embodying a series of work-performing members; means foryieldably holding the members in their idle positions, means foroperating the members and each embodying a cylinder; a piston mountedtherein; a stem on the piston for engaging the member; and means forguiding and su porting the iston-stem andccmprising a c osed end of t ecylinder provided with an opening; a vent in front piston cylindersconnected with the reser- 5 voir; tubes each connecting a pistoncylinder lected member to actuate the member; and from each series;pistons mounted 1n the means for replenishmg the reservoir and pistoncylinders of the reservoir and each l l y f embracing an open-endedhollow cylinder;

a port in the same adapted to communicate with the interior of thereservoir and establish communication between the same and the cylinderand upon movement into the cylinder to cutoff; a stem on each pistonpassing-through the wall of the reservoir; a series of depressiblefinger-keys; a stem depending from each key; a bell-crank-levcrconnected with the stem of each key and with the stem of one of thepistons; means for retracting the pistons; a vfluid-supply tank; a pumpfor drawing fluid therefrom; a supply main connected to the pump; aservice pipe connected to the main for each tube; a back-pressure valvein each service pipe; an accumulator connected Iwith the main andembodying a cylinder; a piston therein; weights for regulating thepressure of the piston; a receiving compartment in the supply tankembodying a partition closed at its lower ortion and provided at itsupper portion wit i a screen communicating with the'body of the tank; anoverflow pipe from the accumulator to the receiving compartment anoverllowvpan for receiving the fluid from the actuated pistons; aconduit therefrom to the receiving compartment; a valvev 21. In a deviceof the character specilied,.

the combination with a shaft, of ratchetwheels mounted thereon; a seriesoll bellcrank-levers mounted adjacent thereto and all having one arm ofuniform length and the other rarm of dissimilar length; a pawl carriedby each of the dissimilar arms 'for engagh g in@ the ratchet-wheelyieldable means for taining a volume of fluid within the conho ding thebell-cranks in their initial positions; means l'or operating the severalbellcranks and each embodying a cylinder; a piston mounted therein; astem on the piston for engaging the bell-crank; and means lfor guidingvand supporting the piston-stem and comprising a closed end of thecylinder provided with an opening; a vent in l'ront oll the piston; avent behind the piston a reserl voir for containing fluid; a series ofpiston cylinders connected with the reservoir; tubes each connecting apiston cylinder from each series; istonsr mounted in the pistoncylinders of t e reservoir and each embracing` the wall of thereservoir.; a series of depressible finger-keys a stem depending fromeach key; a bell-crank-lever connected withthe stem of each key and withthe stem of one o'f y the pistons.; means for retracting the pistons; afluid-supply tank; a pump for drawing fluid therefrom; a supply mainconnected to the ump; a service ipe connected to the mainl for eachtube; a ack-pressure valve in each service pipe; an accumulatorconnected with the main and embodying a c linder; a piston therein;weights for regu ating the pressure ofl the piston; a receivingcompartment in the supply tank embodying a partition closed at its lowerportion and provided at its upper portion with a screen communieatingwith the body ol' the tank; an overflow pipe from the accumulator to thereceiving compartment; an 'overflow pan for receiving the fluid from theactuated pistons; a conduit therefrom to the receiving compartment; avalve overflow connected with the reservoir; means for catching theoverflow; and means for conveying the same to the receiving compartment.

22. The combination with a lurality of fluid-containers, of apiston-cyinder connected with each container a piston mounted withineach cylinder and actuated by change of pressure within its container, avent to relieve the pressure upon` each piston at the completion of itsstroke, a plurality of dei l vices capable of a number of movements and35 each controlled by one of the pistons, a fluid reservoir, means forintroducingfluid into the containers to maintain the pressure of thefluid at not less than normal and from the idle containers into thereservoir, and means for introducing fluid from the reservoir into andventing fluid from a selected container' to vary the pressure thereinand causel the respective movements of the device connected therewithi23. The combination with a fluid-containers, of a piston-cy inderconnected with each container, a piston mounted within each cylinder andactuated by change of volume oi fluid Within its container, a vent torelieve the pressure upon each plura ty of devices severally capable ofa number of movements and each controlled lurality of by one of thepistons, a fluid reservoir, meansy for introducing Huid into thecontainers to maintain the volume of fluid at not less than normal andfrom the idle containers into the reservoir, andmeans for introducingfluid piston at'the completion of its stroke, a i

with each container, a piston mounted within each cylinder and actuatedby change ol' pressure Within its container, a vent behind each piston,a plurality of devices severally capable of a number of movements andeach controlled by one of the pistons; a fluid reservoir,l means forintroducing fluid into the containers to maintain the ressure of thefluid at not less thannormaland from the idle containers into thereservoir, and means for introducing fluid from the reservoir into anddischarging fluid from a selected con- 3tainer to vary the pressuretherein and cause the respective movements of' the device connectedtherewith.

25. The combination witha plurality of fluid-containers, of apiston-cylinder connected with each container, a piston mounted withineach cylinder and actuated by change of volume-ol?l fluid within itscontainer, a vent behind each piston, a plurality of devices severallycapable of a number of movements and each controlled by one ofthepistons, a fluid reservoirI means for introducing fluid into thecontainers to maintain the volume of idle containers intothe reservoir,andA means for introducing fluid from the reservoir into and dischargingfluid from a selected container to vary the volume-of fluid therein' andcause the respective movements of the device connected therewith.

26. The combination with a plurality ol: fluid-containers, ofl apiston-cylinder connected with each container, a piston mounted withineach cylinder and actuated by change of pressure within its container,avent from the cylinder at each side. of the space occupied by thepiston at the completion of its working stroke, a plurality of devicesseverally capable of a number of movements and each controlled by one ofthe pistons, a fluid reservoir, means for introducing fluid into thecontainers to maintain the pressure of the fluid at not less than normaland from the idle containers into the reservoir, and means forintroducing fluid from the reservoir into and venting fluid from aselected container to vary the pressure therein and cause the respectivemovements of the device connected therewith.

27. The combination witha plurality ofv Huid-containers, -of apiston-cylinder connected with each container, a piston mounted withineach cylinder and actuated by change of volume of fluid within itscontainer, a 'vent from the cylinder at cach side of the space occupiedby the piston at the completion of its working stroke, a plurality ofdevices severally capable of a number of movements and each controlledby one of the pistons, a fluid' reservoirfmeans for introducing fluidinto the containers to maintain the volume of fluid at not less thannormal and from the idle containers into the reservoir; and means laofor introducing fluid from the reservoir into and venting` fluid from aselected container to vary the volume of fluid therein and cause therespective movements of the device connected therewith,

28. The combination with a plurality of fluid containers, of a pistoncylinder connected with each container a piston mounted within eachcylinder and actuated by change of pressure within its tube a pluralityol' vdevices severally capable of a number of movements and eachcontrolled by one of the pistons; a fluid reservoir, means forintroducing fluid into the tubes to maintain the pressure of the fluidat not less than normal vreservoir into a selected tubeto vary thepressuretherein and cause a movement of the device connected therewith 5and ,a vent from the cylinder behind the space occupied by the piston atthe completion of its working stroke for permitting` another movement ofthe device.

29. The combination with a plurality of fluid containers, of apiston-cylinder /connected with each container, a piston mounted withineach cylinder and actuated by change of volume of iiuid within itscontainer, a plurality of devices severally capable of a number ofmovements and each controlled by'one of the pistons, a fluid reservoir,means for introducing fluid into the containers to maintainl the volumeof fluid at not less than norm al and from the idle containers into thereservoir. means for introducing iluid from the reservoir into aselected container to vary the volume of fluid therein and cause amovement of the device'connected therewith, and a vent from the cylinderbehind the space occupied bythe piston at the completion .of itsworking-stroke for permitting the escape of fluidand another movement ofthe device.

30. The combination-with' a series of fluidcontainers, of a .series ofmovable devices severally connected therewith and movable upon change ofpressure within the respecclosing communication between the reservoirand container, the onen end of said cylinder being directed toward thecontainer. t

32. In a devi/ce of the character specified,

from each of the keys, and abell-crank-leveig.

engaged by each of the key-stems and engaging the respectivepiston-stems. o

33. The combination with a fluid-container, of a movable deviceconnected therewith andmovable upon change of pressure within thecontainer, means for introducing fluid into lthe container to maintainthe pressure of the fluid at not less than normal,

means for introducing iiuid into the container to raise thepressure'therein and move the device, and means for bacl-valving thenormal pressure maintaining means during the increment of pressure.

34. rlhe combination with a fluid-container, of devices capable of aplurality of movements, connected ytherewith and controlled by change ofpressure within the container, means for introducing fluid into thecontainer to maintain the pressure of the fluid at not less than normal,and means for intioducing fluid into and withdrawing fluid from thecontainer to vary the pressure therein and cause the respectivemovements of the device, and means for baclr-valving the normal pressuremaintaining means during' the increment of pressure, y

'35. The combination with a fluid-container, of devices capable of aplurality of movements in the container," connected therewith andcontrolled by change ofl volume of fluid within the container, means forintroducing fluid into the container to maintain the volume of' thefluid at not less than normal, and means for introducing fluid into andwithdrawing fluid from the container to vary the volume therein andcause the respective movements ofthe device, and means for baclr-valvingthe `normal pressure maintaining means 'during the increment ofpressure.

.36. The combination with a plurality of .fluid-containers, of aplurality of devices sevvary the pressure therein and cause therespective movements of the device connected t erewith, and meansforrback-valving the normal pressure maintaining means during theincrement of pressure.

37. The combination with a plurality of Huid-containers, -of a pluralityofdevices severally capable of a number of movements, respectivelyconnected therewith and each controlled by change of volume of fluidwithin its respective container, means for introducing fluidinto thecontainers to. maintain the volume of the fiuid at not less than nor-Vmalmeans for back-valving the normal pressure maintaining means duringthe incre-- ment of pressure, and means for introducing fluid into andwithdrawing fluid from a selected container tovary the volume thereinand cause the respective movements of the device connected therewith.

38. In a device lof the character'speciiied, the combination with ashaft, Vof ratchetwheels mounted thereon, a series of bellcrank-leversmounted adjacent thereto and all having one arm of uniform length andthe other arm of dissimilar length, a pawl carried by each of thedissimilar arms for Lengaging the ratchet-wheel, yieldable means forholding the bell-cranks in their initial positions, and Huid-actuatedmeans for operating the respective 'bell-cranks.

39. In a device of the character specified, the combination `with ashaft, of ratchet- Wheels mounted thereon, a series of. levers mountedadjacent thereto and all having one arm of uniform length and the otherarm of dissimilar length, pawls carried by the dissimilar arms forengaging the ratchet-Wheels,

means for operating the respective levers and engageable with the armsof uniform length, a plurality of ratchet-wheels, a series of levers armof uniform length and the other arm of dissimilar length, means ofconnection bethe respective pistons, pawls carried by the arms ofdissimilar length, for engaging the maintaining the levers at initialposit-ion.

In testimony whereof, I -have hereunto signed my name at Nos. 9-15Murray street,

New York, N. Y., this 21st day of October, l 1902. i FRANCIS H.RICHARDSl Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, JOHNV O. SEIFERT.

mounted adjacent thereto and all having one' tween the several arms ofuniform length and l vgaging the ratchet-Wheels, and means for.

yieldable means for holding the levers in I their initial positions,-and fluid-actuated ,A

ratchet-Wheels, and means for maintaining

